Romance novels, pasta recipes, and depression
Head, Hands, Heart: October 2023 in review
Reading time is about 3 minutes
Every month I used to do a newsletter that summed up what I’ve been doing with my head and hands and a few words from my heart. Let’s revive that.
In this upcoming season (that sounds official but I just mean the holiday season of life!) you can expect to read more newsletters with an unofficial theme of “tired mom.” Here is a preview of my dashboard!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and let me know what’s on your mind ❤️
Head
I went on vacation and read this cute book in a matter of days called “Julia Monroe Begins Again” by Rebekah Millet. I have never read a Christian romance but I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, it was also a delight to have a female character who was 40 and worried about very relatable problems. Was there a lot of mention of tight muscles under the male character’s shirt? Oh yea but the characters and theme of forgiveness made up for the repetitive description of said muscles.
October was a big month for writing on Motherhood Minute and I rebooted my podcast, which will be a place where I can deep dive into topics like mental health and more.
For years I remember having a book in hand to restore myself like one drinks from a water bottle throughout the day. This season is harder for restorative practices in creativity I have to find moments to read on my Nook at night.
Sometimes I grieve the early morning quiet times I had before motherhood; they’ve been replaced by toddler activities at every waking moment and nights where I read for ten minutes and fall asleep exhausted. I love many things about this season but it’s hard too. I have to find smaller moments for myself.
Hands
I loved this recipe I found for Chicken Andouille Sausage Pasta and I modified it. Cooking dinner is one way I try to be creative where I can, especially since my daughter can’t have dairy or tree nuts.
I made this in my cast iron skillet and substituted the milk for lactose-free milk. The parmesan I used was a dairy-free substitute as well.
I added fresh, chopped spinach and diced bell peppers because I’ll add veggies anywhere. Lastly, I added extra spices like chili powder, paprika, and nutritional yeast (gives a cheesy and smokey flavor) to give this more of a cajun kick.
Heart
I don’t want to be the mother who is breaking down in front of her child, which leaves her to think she has to take care of me. I don’t want that life yet I found myself crying over my steering wheel, depressed beyond belief, saying I have this beautiful life and I can’t enjoy any of it.
Depression is like having a computer overheating and then it “suddenly” stops functioning normally, even though the warning signs were there.
Depression is being able to laugh at a joke but not having the energy or desire to share time with family or friends.
Depression is the weight of humidity in the oncoming storm but the rain refuses to pour down, suspending everyone in anxiety.
I’ve spent the last month writing extensively on the topic of the mental health gap in receiving care and ended the month with a trauma-informed therapist and a new treatment plan with electromagnetic therapy (TMS).
I feel like working a full 40 hours, doing my hair and/or makeup, eating right, walking, and being a good parent/wife is too much to handle yet barely enough. I feel lazy. I feel tired.
Lord, I am so tired of writing about being depressed.
Thank you for reading Motherhood Minute and coming back to this online community I’ve built out of desperation for not being alone with my midnight musings. Having time to write more for you is a two-way relationship and I would love to hear from you about what topics are on your brain.
If you would like to read the archives older than a month on Motherhood Minute or you simply like the idea of supporting a friend fulfill her dream of writing full time, please consider supporting me financially as a subscriber, or sharing this publication.
The Mental Health tab will always be free to access.